User:Alanf777/draft cricket

NOTE : This is a DRAFT of changes to an ARTICLE

It is a proposal for a new LEAD

Introduction
There are many comments in talk that the lead is unsatisfactory.


 * LEAD "The lead is the first part of the article most people read, and many people only read the lead. Consideration should be given to creating interest in reading more of the article, but the lead should not "tease" the reader by hinting at content that follows. Instead, to invite reading more the lead should be written in a clear, accessible style with a neutral point of view ...."

Several people have complained that they can't figure out the essentials of the game, and some of them proposed alternatives (some in jest).

The current "position" is that the lead should NOT include a summary of the game, because that would be too detailed, use too many technical terms, and would result in endless bickering among editors as to what should or should not be included.

I disagree.

As a target I looked at some other sports, particularly baseball, and used that as a guide to length -- about 520 words.

To that end, I have proposed a new lead (for discussion), and suggest that others make concrete proposals. I suggest the following procedure:


 * Stage 1 : Write your own proposal, and/or comment on others
 * Stage 2 : Vote to select one or two candidates
 * Stage 3 : Modify the top two candidates
 * Stage 4 : Vote on the final modified version.

I don't know which of the previous contributors are watching cricket -- I suggest inviting previous significant contributors (on their talk pages) to join in.

Alanf777 (talk) 20:24, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

Instructions
Do NOT edit any of these proposals. Write your own in a new section, or copy one and edit the copy.

I can do the legwork of doing word counts for proposals (by copying the displayed text into Word).

Add and sign comments under a section. Make detailed comments here, rather than in talk. Discuss general principals which don't refer to a specific proposal in talk.

A: Current Lead
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on a roughly circular field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. Each team takes it in turn to bat, in which they attempt to accumulate as many runs as possible, while the other team fields, attempting to prevent the batting team scoring runs. Teams may bat once or twice each depending upon the format of the game. Each turn is known as an innings. The game progresses as one member of the fielding team known as the bowler delivers the ball to the batsman down the length of the pitch. The batsman then attempts to strike the ball with his bat so that the ball either reaches the boundary or travels far enough away from a fielder to enable him to run to the other end of the pitch and thus accumulate runs. Each batsman may continue batting until he is dismissed. Once ten batsmen from the batting side have been dismissed, the team is said to be all out and the two teams change roles. A person who plays cricket is called a cricketer.

In professional cricket the length of a game ranges from 20 overs of six bowling deliveries per side to Test cricket played over five days. The Laws of Cricket are maintained by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) with additional Standard Playing Conditions for Test matches and One Day Internationals.

Cricket was first played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, it had developed into the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held. The ICC, the game's governing body, has 10 full members. The game is most popular in Australasia, England, the Indian subcontinent, the West Indies and Southern Africa.

A: Comments on Current Lead
It doesn't clearly distinguish cricket from any of the other Bat-and-ball games. It is repetitive without adding anything : "attempt to accumulate as many runs as possible" and "attempting to prevent the batting team scoring runs." It is misleading -- implying that only one batsman runs. It doesn't explain how a batsman is out. It has unnecessary detail (pitch is 22 yards, ICC has 10 full members). Alanf777 (talk) 04:27, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

B: Proposed New Lead Alanf777 V1
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game between two teams of eleven cricketers on an oval field. It encloses a rectangular pitch with a wicket at each end. One team bats, accumulating runs, while the other fields, bowling the ball, preventing runs and attempting to dismiss the batsmen. Every batsman bats, until only one is left. This is called an innings. Then the teams change roles for the next innings. In some formats the teams bat twice, and in some the innings ends after a specified number of balls.

Two batsmen play at a time, one at each wicket. Except when actually batting the ball each is safe behind a line in front of his wicket, called the crease. One fielder, the wicket keeper, stands guard behind the active wicket. The bowler is at the opposite end, and the other fielders take positions anywhere outside the pitch. The bowler bowls the ball, usually bouncing once, to the active batsman, who attempts to strike it with his bat. If the ball knocks down the wicket he is out. If the ball would have reached the wicket, but it is blocked by his body, he is out. If he hits the ball and it is caught without bouncing, he is out. A hit to the boundary without bouncing scores six: bouncing, four. If the ball stays inside the boundary then both batsmen can agree to run, carrying their bats, scoring one run by safely exchanging positions. They can repeat this as often as they dare. But if a fielder knocks down either wicket with the ball, while the batsman closest to that wicket is out of his crease, then that batsman is out. A team can be awarded extra runs due to errors by the other team.

Six balls make an over, after which play reverses direction. The batsmen stay in place, the wicket keeper goes to the opposite wicket, and a different bowler comes on. The two umpires and many fielders change their positions.

The match ends when the last team to bat has most runs; when a specified number of overs have been bowled; or when the scheduled end time is reached. In short games the team with most runs wins, but in others a losing team can force a draw, by batting until time runs out. The length of an official game ranges from 20 overs per side to Test cricket, played in a series of as many as five matches, each lasting up to five days. A skilled batsman sometimes scores a hundred runs in one innings: the total runs of all innings in a Test Match frequently exceeds a thousand.

International cricket is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), while the the Laws of Cricket are maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), with additional conditions for specific formats.

Cricket was first played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century it had developed into England's national summer sport. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and in the mid-19th century the first international matches were held. The game is most popular in Australasia, England, the Indian subcontinent, Southern Africa and the West Indies.

Alanf777 (talk) 18:35, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

New : 537 (511 with small text omitted) Old : 323 Baseball : 518

B: Comments on Alanf777 V1
I attempted to include all the essential elements of the game, while avoiding too many technical terms. My target was to do this in about the same number of words as the lead on Baseball.

Main contentious thing I included (and exceeded the target word count): I have used small text to indicate what I would drop in order to meet the word count.


 * LBW (It accounts for 20% of dismissals-- eg Graeme Smith caught: 85, lbw 36,bowled 26, run-out 2)

Main things I left out which I think should possibly be added :


 * That a game starts with a toss, the winner deciding who bats first
 * that a bowler runs for his delivery and bowls over-hand without straightening his elbow
 * that a hundred runs is a century
 * that a zero is a duck, expected for a specialist like a bowler, a disgrace for an opener

Main things I left out which don't need to be added:


 * the length of the pitch (and all other dimensions)
 * details of the bat and ball
 * That a wicket is made of stumps and bails, and that it is sufficient to dislodge one bail to break the wicket.
 * that there are other ways of being out
 * details of extras (no-ball, wide, byes ...)
 * declare, follow on
 * appeals
 * that a batter can ground his bat or body
 * that the captain plays, and the manager isn't allowed on the field

Other than the names of some players (batsman, bowler and wicket keeper), wicket, innings, over and crease (most of which are explained), I have avoided the use of technical terms as much as possible.


 * In the first paragraphs I refer to a "number of balls", rather than "number of overs", because describe an over later, without repetition.
 * I say "active batsman" (and wicket) rather than "striking" -- though I leave in the word "strike" rather than "hit". In other places I say "hit the ball".
 * I use "knock down" the wicket, rather than "put down" or "broke".
 * I say the batsman is inside or outside his "crease", rather than his "ground"

I attempted to be as terse as possible, without resorting to Telegraphese. I aimed a 520-word limit, but I'd like to put back about 25 words to make the sentences flow a little smoother, and to be more clear for non-native English speakers. (eg replace pronoun he with the batsman. Use If ... then .. )

Alanf777 (talk) 18:54, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

Proposed images for the Lead
These should be shown wide, between paragraphs, not to the side.

This has a nice view of the oval and boundary, but you can't see the pitch :

This has a nice view of the oval and boundary, and you see the pitch (well, multiple picthes!) :

This is a good illustration of all the elements of a ball being bowled :

B: Proposed Lead Alanf777 V1 with Pictures
(Note : the text may not be the latest)

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game between two teams of eleven cricketers on an oval field. At its center is a rectangular pitch with a wicket at each end.

One team bats, accumulating runs, while the other fields, bowling the ball, preventing runs and attempting to dismiss the batsmen. Every batsman has a turn to bat, until only one is left. This is called an innings. Then the teams change roles for the next innings. In some formats the teams bat twice, and in others the innings ends after a specified number of balls.

Two batsmen play at a time, one at each wicket. Except when actually batting the ball each is safe behind a line in front of his wicket, called the crease. One fielder, the wicket keeper, stands guard behind the active wicket. The bowler is at the opposite end, and the other fielders take positions anywhere outside the pitch. The bowler bowls the ball, usually bouncing once, to the active batsman, who attempts to strike it with his bat. If the ball knocks down the wicket he is out. If he hits the ball and it is caught without bouncing, he is out. A hit to the boundary without bouncing scores six: bouncing, four. If the ball stays inside the boundary then both batsmen can agree to run, carrying their bats, scoring one run by safely exchanging positions. They can repeat this as often as they dare. But if a fielder knocks down either wicket with the ball, while the batsman closest to that wicket is out of his crease, then he is out. A team can be awarded extra runs due to errors by the other team.

Six balls make an over, after which play reverses direction. The batsmen stay in place, the wicket keeper goes to the opposite wicket, and a different bowler comes on. The two umpires and many fielders change their positions.

The match ends when the last team to bat has most runs; when a specified number of overs have been bowled; or when the scheduled end time is reached. In short games the team with most runs wins, but in others a losing team can force a draw, by continuing to bat until time runs out.

The length of an official game ranges from 20 overs per side to Test cricket, played in a series of as many as five matches, each lasting up to five days. One batsman sometimes scores a hundred runs in one innings: the total of all innings in a Test Match frequently exceeds a thousand.

International cricket is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), while the the Laws of Cricket are maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), with additional conditions for specific formats.

Cricket was first played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century it had developed into England's national summer sport. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were held. The game is most popular in Australasia, England, the Indian subcontinent, the West Indies and Southern Africa.

Comments on B: Proposed Lead Alanf777 V1 with Pictures
.....

C: An earlier proposal in talk : 94.172.24.194 A (talk) 10:18 am, 29 November 2010
Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport.

One team bats and the other fields. All of the players on the fielding team are present on the field - one of whom (the bowler) bowls a ball towards a wooden wicket. The batting team have two players (the batsmen) on the field, one of whom stands in front of the wicket and tries with his bat to prevent the ball from hitting the wicket.

If the batsman succeeds in hitting the ball some distance, he then may decide to run, that is to run the 22 yards from the wicket he is defending towards a second identical wicket. If he does run, then the other batsman, who will have been waiting by the second wicket, needs to run in the opposite direction at the same time

While the batsmen are running, the fielding team will try to retrieve the ball and throw it at the wicket.

If the wicket is hit by the ball, either as a result of the batsman failing to hit the ball away - or as a result of the ball hitting the wicket before a running batsman has reached it, the batsman is dismissed from the field, and the next member of the batting team takes his place. A batsman is also dismissed if the ball he hits is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground, or if his body (rather than the bat) prevents the ball from hitting the wicket.

The object of the game for the batting team is to score as many runs as they can. The object of the game for the fielding team is to dismiss all the batsmen from the batting team as quickly as they can.

288 words (but still needs the organisation and history sections)

C: Comments on 94.172.24.194
That's reasonably clear. (I think it might be by Moondyne) Alanf777 (talk) 19:39, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

D: Moondyne 6:16 pm, 29 November 2010
Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport. Variations exist, but the most popular form is played on an oval-shaped outdoor arena known as a cricket field at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard (20.12 m) long pitch that is the focus of the game. A game (or match) is contested between two teams of eleven players each. One team of batsmen will try to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and limit the runs scored by the batting team. All eleven of the fielding team and only two of the batsmen are on the field at any one time as well as two umpires who adjudicate dismissal decisions and control other aspects of the game. A run is scored for the batting team after a bowler from the fielding team bowls a ball towards one of the two batsmen who hits the ball with his bat and runs to the opposite end of the pitch. The batsman's partner will run from the bowler's end of the pitch while the striking batsman is running. The bowler's action is distinct from a conventional throwing action in that the bowler's arm is required to be held straight at the elbow.

A batsman may be dismissed (given 'out') in a number of ways. These include: the batsman hits the ball which is retrieved by one of the fielders and it is thrown back and hits the wicket while the batsman is still running; the ball is hit by the batsman and caught by a fielder before it hits the ground; the batsman misses hitting the ball while it is in flight from the bowler, and it then strikes the wicket; or the ball hits the batsman's body when the ball would have otherwise carried through and hit the wickets. When the batsman is dismissed he leaves the field and another member of his team comes on to take his place. The teams switch between batting and fielding at the end of an innings, which occurs when ten of the eleven batsmen are dismissed.

350 words (but still needs the organisation and history sections)

D: Comments on Moondyne 6:16 pm, 29 November 2010
....

Table of Elements Covered
Note : this explains the following concepts and how they fit into the game

My intent was to indicate what features are most important, an whether a particular proposal includes them.

(Incomplete --- all these elements should be covered in the lead, the summary and detailed sections. I think I'll redo this in html, or in a spreadsheet )

Possible Field Pictures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankhede_Stadium  needs crop

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardar_Patel_Stadium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellerive_Oval

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Queens_Park_Oval_Trinidad.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gabba

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MCG_stadium.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsmead_cricket_ground,_Durban